Biological Specimen Organizer

ABSTRACT

This invention relates to devices for storing reagents and biological specimens in fridge, freezers or liquid nitrogen. The device disclosed herein involves the use of coordinate style markings on the upper inner wall of the device that are not blocked once the spaces in the device are filled. The present device enables a user to easily fill spaces and retrieve specimens, and to coordinate with a laboratory information management system or other computer organizational system.

The present invention claims priority of provisional application No. 61/267,019.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This present invention relates to the field of biomedical research tools. More particularly, the present invention relates to an apparatus for the storage of substances used in biomedical research at low temperatures. In the field of biomedical research it is often necessary to organize and store reagents and chemicals, biological samples or specimen, such as plasma, serum, or cerebrospinal fluid, biochemical samples, such as DNA, RNA, or proteins, human and animal cells and tissues in very low temperatures, such as 4° C., −20° C., −80° C., −196° C. Such reagents or samples are usually stored in a fridge or freezer loosely or put into metal racks. Storage boxes, such as the one of the present invention are used to organize microtubes, cryogenic vials, or other small containers filled with the reagents/speciments

In order to store the biological specimens or reagents in an organized manner, the storage boxes have their interior space divided into small squares by a grid like divider. Each square is of a size sufficient to hold on microtubes or vials containing a specimen/reagent. However, the size and shape of these spaces provide an organizational problem, specifically a limited space for labeling. There is no space within the grid other than the bottom of the divided squares. Because of this often the coordinates of the grid are not labeled, or are only labeled on the lid or bottom of the box. This makes it difficult, if not impossible for the user of an existing storage box to know the exact location of a specific vial within the storage box. The labels on the bottom of the box are insufficient, as they are covered by the specimens, and can only be seen once the specimen is removed. Thus, there is significant room for error, and significant additional effort is involved in avoiding, errors in specimen selection and withdrawal. Further, if the labeling is only on the lid, can become easily separated from the box and/or become turned, such that the labels are no longer providing an accurate description of the contents of the box.

In addition, some users of storage boxes that manage hundreds of thousands of microtubes/vials label each one with a unique identifier barcode. Such users then use a Lab Information Management System (LIMS) to manage the storage of the samples. In order for this to be useful, the users need to know specifically where a given sample is stored, i.e. geographic location, room, freezer, rack, box, space. However, often when reaching the level of a specific box, the user must check each square until it finds the specific coded vial/tube, causing delay in an otherwise efficient system.

The present invention provides storage boxes that provide for more efficient organization of stored content, allowing for use of the stored content with reduced effort and errors.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

The present invention is a storage device containing a grid-like division of interior compartments and markings on the interior wall of the device that remain visible when samples are inserted, enabling enhanced record keeping and care. In a particular embodiment of the invention, the device is labeled with spreadsheet like coordinates on two of the four inner walls. In another embodiment of the invention, the label with spreadsheet like coordinates is removable for ease of marking and modification. In all embodiments, the coordinates on the inner walls are lined up to match the grid spaces of the inner portion of the device. The bottom of the box under each grid square is marked with the corresponding coordinates from the two walls. The lid of the device is marked in the same fashion as the bottom, but with additional space in each square for identification of the specimen within the grid box.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a depiction of an embodiment of the apparatus without the lid.

FIG. 2 is a depiction of the prior art in the field.

FIG. 3 is a depiction of the lid (4) of the apparatus.

FIG. 4 is a depiction of the individual components of the storage apparatus; the base (1), with coordinates (2) on the top portion (3) of two of the four walls of the base (1); the lid (4) with a chart of grid/cell coordinate numbers (5); a bottom insert (6) with a chart of cell coordinate numbers (7), and the grid dividers (8) that create the storage cells. (9)

FIG. 5 is a depiction of the bottom portion of the storage apparatus, showing a variation in which the coordinates (2) are printed on a removable label 2 a.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring now to the invention in more detail, in FIG. 1. a storage box 1 is shown, with coordinates (2), here A-H and 1-8, marked on the portion of the walls appearing above the grid dividers (8)(3). The open storage area (10) of the storage box (1) is divided into small storage cells (9) by an inserted grid divider (8). As seen in FIG. 3, the lid (4) of the present invention contains a chart of cell coordinate numbers (5). The chart (5) contains spaces (5 a) sufficient for information about a specimen to be written in.

FIG. 4 shows an insert (6) with a chart of cell coordinate numbers (7). This insert can be placed under the grid dividers (8) on the bottom of the storage box (1). In more detail, the storage boxes (1), lid (4), and grid dividers (8) can be made of any number of materials, including polypropylene plastics, cardboard, fiberboard or wood. Regardless of the material used, all three components should be composed of the same materials. If fiberboard or cardboard is used, it should be coated to be waterproof.

FIG. 5 shows the components of a variation of the storage device in which the coordinates (2), are printed on a removable label 2 a.

The storage box (1) is usually 5¼ by 5¼ inches wide, with the height of the box varying to accommodate the height of microtubes or vials desired to be stored. The most common arrangement of the grid divider (8) is a 9×9 grid, making 81 places or a 10×10 grid making 100 places. However, the present invention could be made with any variation on the number of squares (i.e. 2×2, 5×5, 8×8) as necessary.

The advantages of the present invention include, without limitation, providing users with the ability to retrieve stored samples with decreased effort and increased efficiency. The present invention reduces the likelihood of error in removal and restoration of samples.

While the foregoing written description of the invention enables one of ordinary skill to make and use what is considered presently to be the best mode thereof, those of ordinary skill will understand and appreciate the existence of variations, combinations, and equivalents of the specific embodiment, method and examples herein. The invention should not be limited by the above described embodiment, method and examples, but by all embodiments and methods within the scope and spirit of the invention. 

1. A storage device for substances used in biomedical research at low temperatures comprising: a box with at least a first and second side wall; a label comprising coordinates on the top portion of said first and second side wall; a chart on the bottom of said box comprising grid cells containing cell coordinate numbers; said grid cells and coordinate numbers corresponding to the coordinates contained on said first and second side walls; a removable grid divider creating storage cells; said storage cells being of a size equal to the grid cells on said bottom insert; a lid comprising a chart grid of cell coordinate numbers on the top thereof; said chart grid comprising grid squares of the same dimensions as the grid cells of said bottom insert.
 2. A storage device of claim 1 wherein the label bearing coordinates on the top portion of said first side wall and second side wall are on removable inserts.
 3. A storage device of claim 1 wherein the box is composed of polypropylene plastics.
 4. A storage device of claim 1 wherein the box is composed of cardboard, fiberboard or wood
 5. A storage device of claim 1 wherein the box is composed of fiberboard
 6. A storage device of claim 1 wherein the box is composed of wood
 7. A storage device of claim 1 wherein the box is 5¼ by 5¼ inches wide.
 8. A storage device of claim 1 wherein the grid dividers make a 8×8 grid (64 places)
 9. A storage device of claim 1 wherein the grid dividers make a 9×9 grid (81 places)
 10. A storage device of claim 1 wherein the grid dividers make a 10×10 grid (100 places).
 11. A storage device of claim 1 wherein the chart on the bottom of said box is printed directly onto the box.
 12. A storage device of claim 1 wherein the chart on the bottom of said box is printed on a removable insert. 